Quit urges Victorians to celebrate smokefree dining

With only 5 days to go before smokefree dining is introduced in Victoria, Quit is urging Victorians to celebrate by dining out next week and enjoying the new smokefree atmosphere in restaurants and cafes.

'This smokefree dining legislation is a great step forward for Victoria. I'd urge Victorians to show their support for this historic legislation and make a booking to eat out next week.'

'Dining out around the state will now be a more pleasant experience for diners, especially those who are sensitive to tobacco smoke, such as people with asthma, pregnant women and people with children.'

Mr Harper says smokefree dining will be a good move for business too.

'There is enormous public support for smokefree dining – a survey released by Quit in February shows that 96% of Victorians want smoking restrictions in restaurants. Many smokers also support this move - in fact, only 10% of smokers want unrestricted smoking in restaurants.'

'Our studies show that many people are currently avoiding smoky venues; overwhelmingly, the available evidence shows smokefree dining will be popular and successful.'

'The issue is not whether people smoke, it's where they smoke.'

Next week, Victoria will join New South Wales, South Australia, Western Australia and the ACT as a smokefree dining state. Smokefree dining will be introduced in Tasmania in September this year, and in Queensland next year.